As the offseason began, there was optimism that the Boston Red Sox would make significant moves. Players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery were all notable names in free agency, and chairman Tom Werner had promised an aggressive approach.
However, Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy acknowledged last month that the team’s payroll for 2024 would likely be lower than in 2023. Reports surfaced that the team needed to reduce payroll before signing free agents, and there was confusion and criticism from fans and reporters alike, questioning why a highly valuable franchise like the Red Sox was operating with budget constraints more typical of smaller-market teams.
This frustration has now extended beyond the fan base and into the Red Sox locker room, with Rafael Devers leading the charge. Devers, who signed an 11-year, $331 million contract extension in Jan. 2023, is now the longest-tenured and highest-paid Red Sox player, following Chris Sale’s trade to the Atlanta Braves.
Devers, having been part of the 2018 World Series championship team, knows what a winning team looks like and has voiced concerns about the current state of the team.
Closer Kenley Jansen, who has been the subject of trade speculation, also expressed frustration on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, suggesting that the team misled him about their plans when he signed in Dec. 2022.
Even former players have weighed in, with Dustin Pedroia reportedly urging team decision-makers to take action in free agency.
These comments come amid reports of internal discord, with some in the organization reportedly embarrassed by the offseason’s developments. There are also suggestions of a disconnect between principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner regarding the team’s direction.
The situation has led to tense interactions with the media, with Henry dismissing questions about the team, Craig Breslow avoiding questions about the team’s playoff prospects, and manager Alex Cora declining to discuss his future with the team in 2024.
